This section provides an overview of how cancer treatments may affect fertility. The most common treatments for cancer are chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and hormone therapy.
Other treatments include immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Learning that cancer treatment may affect your fertility can be distressing. If you need support at this time, call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
Learn more about:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
- Hormone therapy
- Other treatments
- Specific challenges after treatment
- Tips for managing fertility and treatment
Avoiding pregnancy during treatment
Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy, can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects.
| During treatment | Even if your periods stop during cancer treatment, you might still be fertile. You will need to use some form of contraception to avoid pregnancy while having treatment. |
| After treatment | Your treatment team and fertility specialists may also advise you to wait between 6 months and 2 years before starting fertility treatment or trying to conceive naturally. How long you have to wait will depend on the type of cancer treatment you’ve had. |
| Using contraception | Your team may also advise you to use barrier contraception (such as a condom, female condom, dental dam or diaphragm), the pill or hormone implants, or non-hormone-based contraception (IUD) for a short time after each treatment, even if there is no risk of pregnancy. Barrier contraception will also protect your partner from any chemotherapy drugs that may be present in your body fluids. |
Read personal stories from women who have been diagnosed with cancer while pregnant
→ READ MORE: The impact of chemotherapy on fertility
Podcast: Sex and Cancer
Listen to more of our podcast for people affected by cancer
More resources
Dr Sally Reid, Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist, Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Adelaide) and Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; Dr Sarah Ellis, Clinical Psychologist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital and UNSW, NSW; John Booth, Consumer; Hope Finlen, Haematology Nurse Consultant, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Dr Michelle Harrison, Medical Oncologist – Gynaecological cancers, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Melissa Jones, Nurse Consultant, Youth Cancer Service SA/NT, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; Dr Violet Kieu, Clinical Director, Melbourne IVF and Fertility Specialist, The Royal Women’s Hospital, VIC; Prof Declan Murphy, Consultant Urologist, Director – Genitourinary Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The University of Melbourne, VIC; Stephen Page, Family and Fertility Lawyer, and Legal Practice Director, Page Provan, QLD; Ann Retzlaff, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; A/Prof Kate Stern AO, Fertility specialist, Gynaecologist and Reproductive Endocrinologist, Royal Women’s Hospital and Melbourne IVF, VIC; Georgia Webster, Consumer.
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